On View

Egyptian

Mummy of Nesmin

Nesmin resided in Akhmim, where he served as a priest of the fertility god Min and Khonsu, a moon and healing god. Nesmin’s paternal ancestors had also served Min, and his mother played the sistrum (ritual rattle) in Min’s service. Nesmin performed a variety of duties, from ritual cleaning of the shrine to clothing and offering sacrifices to Min’s statue.

Traces of black resin on the wrappings indicate that Nesmin’s body was filled with molten resin-a common practice during this time-then wrapped in linen. The outermost wrappings bear a cartonnage (plastered linen) floral collar and a depiction of the winged goddess, Nut, with the names and titles of Nesmin below. The mummy mask that once covered Nesmin’s face is in the collection of the British Museum.